Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants: 2015 Week 17 Recap

Game story

In Week 17 of the 2015 NFL season on 2016-01-03, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 35–30 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

E. Manning (New York Giants) paced the passing game, with -4.10 total EPA, and -5.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, S. Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +16.96 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-33.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning sacked at PHI 21 for -7 yards (98-C.Barwin). FUMBLES (98-C.Barwin), RECOVERED by PHI-26-W.Thurmond at PHI 17. 26-W.Thurmond for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Officially, a sack fo

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 S. Bradford · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +16.96 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
2. 2 Z. Ertz · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +12.53 total EPA · 9 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
3. 3 R. Jennings · New York Giants · Rushing · +8.79 total EPA · 28 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
4. 4 O. Beckham · New York Giants · Receiving · +5.36 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
5. 5 D. Sproles · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +4.43 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.48 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.08 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
7. 7 B. Celek · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Vereen · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Murray (Q1 58:21)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Sproles (Q1 46:44)
• New York Giants — W. Tye (E. Manning pass) (Q2 41:09)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (S. Bradford pass) (Q2 34:47)
• New York Giants — R. Jennings (Q2 30:15)
• New York Giants — R. Randle (E. Manning pass) (Q3 24:20)
• Philadelphia Eagles — W. Thurmond (Q3 18:50)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Matthews (S. Bradford pass) (Q4 9:28)

Field goals

• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q1 49:10)
• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q2 43:57)
• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q4 4:35)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NYG 54 (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) (No Huddle) 29-D.Murray right guard for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q1 58:10) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the PHI 3 (Q1 49:10) — (4:10) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NYG 6 (Q1 46:44) — (1:44) (No Huddle) 43-D.Sproles right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q1 46:36) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 17–7. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the PHI 12 (Q2 43:57) — (13:57) 3-J.Brown 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.; New York Giants found the end zone from the PHI 9 (Q2 41:09) — (11:09) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 45-W.Tye for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 41:01) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NYG 4 (Q2 34:47) — (4:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short right to 81-J.Matthews for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 34:38) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New York Giants found the end zone from the PHI 2 (Q2 30:15) — (:15) (Shotgun) 23-R.Jennings right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 30:13) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New York Giants found the end zone from the PHI 45 (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 82-R.Randle for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q3 24:11) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the PHI 14 (Q3 18:50); Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q3 18:34) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the NYG 3 (Q4 9:28) — (9:28) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short left to 81-J.Matthews for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 9:19) — 6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the PHI 30 (Q4 4:35) — (4:35) 3-J.Brown 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• New York Giants (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning sacked at PHI 21 for -7 yards (98-C.Barwin). FUMBLES (98-C.Barwin), RECOVERED by PHI-26-W.Thurmond at PHI 17. 26-W.Thurmond for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Officially, a sack fo [WPA -33.1% · EPA -12.00]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 24:31) — (9:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-D.Murray left end to PHI 48 for 4 yards (53-J.Brinkley, 31-T.Wade). FUMBLES (53-J.Brinkley), touched at PHI 47, RECOVERED by NYG-93-G.Selvie at PHI 45. 93-G.Selvie to PH [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.24]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) (No Huddle) 29-D.Murray right guard for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.81]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 47:25) — (2:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep middle to 86-Z.Ertz to NYG 6 for 60 yards (31-T.Wade) [91-R.Ayers Jr.]. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +4.84]
• New York Giants (Q3 24:20) — (9:20) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 82-R.Randle for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +3.81]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New York Giants (Q3 18:50) — (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning sacked at PHI 21 for -7 yards (98-C.Barwin). FUMBLES (98-C.Barwin), RECOVERED by PHI-26-W.Thurmond at PHI 17. 26-W.Thurmond for 83 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Officially, a sack fo [WPA -33.1% · EPA -12.00]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 24:31) — (9:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-D.Murray left end to PHI 48 for 4 yards (53-J.Brinkley, 31-T.Wade). FUMBLES (53-J.Brinkley), touched at PHI 47, RECOVERED by NYG-93-G.Selvie at PHI 45. 93-G.Selvie to PH [WPA -16.3% · EPA -5.24]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 47:25) — (2:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass deep middle to 86-Z.Ertz to NYG 6 for 60 yards (31-T.Wade) [91-R.Ayers Jr.]. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +4.84]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 58:21) — (13:21) (No Huddle) 29-D.Murray right guard for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.4% · EPA +4.81]

Quarterback report card

E.Manning led all passers in efficiency for New York Giants, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 46 dropbacks · 52.2% completion · -5.7% CPOE · -0.09 EPA/play · -4.10 total EPA
• S.Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) · 40 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +10.4% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +16.96 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.16 vs +0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• New York Giants: 11 drives, +5.35 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 12 drives, +13.21 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• S. Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• E. Manning (NYG) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• S. Bradford (PHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 58:21 · NYG 54 · Score 6-0
   (13:21) (No Huddle) 29-D.Murray right guard for 54 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 58:10 · NYG 15 · Score 7-0
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
3. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q1 49:10 · PHI 3 · Score 7-3
   (4:10) 3-J.Brown 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.
4. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 46:44 · NYG 6 · Score 13-3
   (1:44) (No Huddle) 43-D.Sproles right end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 46:36 · NYG 15 · Score 14-3
   6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
6. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 43:57 · PHI 12 · Score 14-6
   (13:57) 3-J.Brown 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.
7. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 41:09 · PHI 9 · Score 14-12
   (11:09) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short right to 45-W.Tye for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 41:01 · PHI 15 · Score 14-13
   3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 34:47 · NYG 4 · Score 20-13
   (4:47) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short right to 81-J.Matthews for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 34:38 · NYG 15 · Score 21-13
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
11. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 30:15 · PHI 2 · Score 21-19
    (:15) (Shotgun) 23-R.Jennings right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 30:13 · PHI 15 · Score 21-20
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.
13. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 24:20 · PHI 45 · Score 21-26
    (9:20) 10-E.Manning pass deep middle to 82-R.Randle for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 24:11 · PHI 15 · Score 21-27
    3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.
15. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 18:50 · PHI 14 · Score 27-27
    (3:50) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning sacked at PHI 21 for -7 yards (98-C.Barwin). FUMBLES (98-C.Barwin), RECOVERED by PHI-26-W.Thurmond at PHI 17. 26-W.Thurmond for 83
16. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 18:34 · NYG 15 · Score 28-27
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
17. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 9:28 · NYG 3 · Score 34-27
    (9:28) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short left to 81-J.Matthews for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
18. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 9:19 · NYG 15 · Score 35-27
    6-C.Sturgis extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
19. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q4 4:35 · PHI 30 · Score 35-30
    (4:35) 3-J.Brown 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-9-B.Wing.